Image: Very fine, gem quality emerald crystal from Muzo Mine, Muzo, Vasquez-Yacopí Mining District, Boyacá Department, Colombia; photographer M.M.

The Gemstone Forecaster includes many interesting articles this Winter issue, including an interview with C.R. “Cap” Beesley, as well as auction news. Excerpt: 

GF: What happened with the 74 Carat North Carolina Emerald and the GIA?
CB: One of the outstanding projects of last year was the opportunity to participate in the planning stages of bringing the largest emerald ever found in North Carolina and North America to the marketplace. After several consultations, the 310 carats emerald crystal found on the Adam’s Farm in Hiddenite, NC was cut into an unusual shape weighing 74.66 carats and subsequently treated with polymer by Jerry Call, an ex-GIA staff member turned entrepreneur and gemstone cutter. The level of enhancement pushed the limits of moderate. I subsequently suggested we recut the stone to emulate the Catherine the Great Emerald that coincidentally was on the cover of the April 2010 Christie’s Catalog and categorize the two stones as the Emperor and Empress.  more…